Few names carry as much biblical beauty as Lily. Unlike many modern names people assume are biblical, Lily genuinely appears in Scripture — repeatedly, and always with significance. The lily name meaning in the Bible weaves together purity, divine care, beauty, and resurrection hope. Whether you’re considering the name for a daughter or you carry it yourself, here’s the full biblical picture.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Topic | Lily Name Meaning in the Bible |
| Category | Bible Name Meanings & Spiritual Meanings |
| Occasion | Bible |
| Includes | Lily Name Meaning in the Bible |
| Bible Verses | Yes |
| Best For | Friends & Family |
Does the Name Lily Appear in the Bible?
Yes — the lily (the flower) appears multiple times in both the Old and New Testaments. While “Lily” as a personal name isn’t given to a specific biblical character, the flower itself is one of Scripture’s most meaningful botanical symbols, and the name derives directly from it.
The Hebrew word is shoshannah (שׁוֹשַׁנָּה), which also gives us the name Susanna — borne by several women in the Bible, including one of the women who supported Jesus’s ministry (Luke 8:3). So the lily’s biblical roots run deep, both as symbol and as name-source.
Key Bible Verses About Lilies
Matthew 6:28-29 — God’s Care
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (KJV)
This is the most famous lily passage. Jesus uses the lily to teach one of His most comforting lessons: if God clothes the flowers so beautifully, how much more will He care for you? For anyone named Lily, this verse is a lifelong reminder — you are more valuable to God than the most beautiful thing in nature.
Luke 12:27 — The Same Promise
Luke records the same teaching: “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (KJV) The repetition across two Gospels shows how central this image was to Jesus’s teaching.
Song of Solomon 2:1-2 — Beauty and Distinction
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.” (KJV)
Here the lily represents distinctive beauty — a pure flower standing out among thorns. It’s an image of the beloved’s uniqueness, cherished and set apart. Many see in this a picture of Christ’s love for His people, or simply of beauty that refuses to be diminished by its surroundings.
Hosea 14:5 — Growth and Renewal
“I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” (KJV)
God Himself uses the lily as a picture of restoration — His people, renewed and flourishing after judgment. The lily becomes a symbol of spiritual revival: life springing up fresh and beautiful.
1 Kings 7:19, 22, 26 — Sacred Architecture
Lily designs adorned the capitals of the pillars in Solomon’s temple, and the temple’s great bronze basin (“the sea”) had a brim “wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies.” The lily was literally carved into God’s house — a symbol of purity worthy of sacred space.
For more passages, Bible Gateway lets you search every occurrence of “lily” across translations, from the KJV to the NIV.
What Does Lily Symbolize in the Bible?
Across these passages, the lily carries layered meaning:
- Purity — the white lily’s unstained petals picture moral and spiritual cleanness (reflected in the temple carvings).
- Divine provision — “consider the lilies” is Jesus’s object lesson in trusting God’s care.
- Beauty without striving — lilies “toil not, neither do they spin,” yet outshine Solomon. Grace, not effort.
- Resurrection and new life — the lily blooms each spring from a buried bulb, making it an Easter symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
- Distinction — “a lily among thorns”: set apart, untainted by surroundings.
The Origin and History of the Name Lily
- Latin root: lilium, the lily flower.
- Hebrew root: shoshannah, also the source of Susanna/Shoshana.
- As a given name: Lily came into use as a personal name in the 19th century, during the Victorian flower-name craze (alongside Rose, Daisy, Violet, Iris). It has remained popular ever since, consistently ranking in the top 50 US girls’ names in recent decades.
- Variants: Lillian, Liliana, Lilith (different origin — be aware this one has separate, darker associations), Lilia, Lilou.
The name’s appeal is obvious: short, melodic, feminine, and carrying centuries of positive symbolism.
Lily as a Name: What It Communicates
When parents choose Lily, they’re usually drawn to:
- Innocence and sweetness — the name sounds gentle and kind.
- Natural beauty — an earthy, timeless quality.
- Faith resonance — for Christian families, the direct biblical connection is a meaningful bonus.
- Versatility — it suits a baby, a teenager, and a grandmother equally.
A Faith Perspective: Living Up to the Name
If you or your daughter is named Lily, Scripture gives you rich material for a life theme:
Trust God’s care. The core lily lesson — “consider the lilies” — is an antidote to anxiety. A Lily can claim Matthew 6:28 as a personal promise: God cares for me even more than the flowers.
Bloom where planted. “As the lily among thorns” (Song 2:2) — be the person whose character stands out in difficult environments.
Grow after winter. The lily bulb buried in cold ground, blooming in spring — a living picture of resurrection hope. Whatever winter comes, spring follows.
Many parents pray these truths over their daughters. Our scriptures to pray in the morning collection includes Matthew 6:28 and other verses you can pray over a child named Lily — a beautiful daily habit.
Famous People Named Lily
- Lily James — actress (Downton Abbey, Cinderella)
- Lily Collins — actress (Emily in Paris)
- Lily Allen — singer-songwriter
- Lily Tomlin — actress and comedian
- Lily Aldrin — beloved character from How I Met Your Mother
Susanna: The Bible’s Lily Name
Here’s a detail many miss: while “Lily” as a personal name doesn’t appear in Scripture, its Hebrew twin does. Susanna comes from shoshannah — the Hebrew word for lily — and Susanna appears in the New Testament:
“And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luke 8:3, KJV)
Susanna was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and supported His ministry financially — a woman of means, faith, and devotion. So the lily-name family genuinely includes a disciple-era believer. When people ask whether Lily has biblical roots, Susanna is the honest, documented answer: same flower, same Hebrew root, real biblical woman.
(The name also appears in the apocryphal History of Susanna, a story of a virtuous woman falsely accused and vindicated — included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, though not in the Protestant canon.)
The Easter Lily: A Symbol of Resurrection
The white Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) has become one of Christianity’s most recognizable symbols of Christ’s resurrection. Churches fill with them every Easter, and the symbolism is layered:
- The bulb buried in darkness, then bursting into bloom — a picture of the tomb and the resurrection.
- The trumpet shape — proclaiming the good news.
- The pure white — sinlessness and victory over death.
Tradition even holds that lilies sprang up where Christ’s sweat fell in Gethsemane, though that’s legend rather than Scripture. What is scriptural is the pattern: life out of death, beauty out of burial — the gospel in a flower.
For anyone named Lily, Easter carries a special resonance: your name is literally the church’s flower of resurrection hope.
Lily in Christian Art and Tradition
The lily’s sacred status shows up across two thousand years of Christian culture:
- The Annunciation — in countless paintings, the angel Gabriel holds or stands beside white lilies when announcing Christ’s birth to Mary, symbolizing her purity.
- St. Joseph — often depicted with a lily staff, representing chastity and righteousness.
- The Virgin Mary — called the “lily among thorns” in medieval devotion, drawing directly on Song of Solomon 2:2.
- Baptismal imagery — lilies frequently appear in baptismal art as symbols of the new, washed-clean life.
- Funerals — white lilies at Christian funerals proclaim resurrection hope: “he shall grow as the lily” (Hosea 14:5).
A name with this much sacred art behind it carries quiet weight — centuries of believers have seen in the lily a picture of what grace does.
5 Verses for Anyone Named Lily
Whether you’re naming a daughter or reflecting on your own name, these verses turn “Lily” into a life theme:
- Matthew 6:28 — “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.” Theme: Trust God’s care completely.
- Song of Solomon 2:2 — “As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.” Theme: Stand out with grace in difficult places.
- Hosea 14:5 — “He shall grow as the lily.” Theme: God brings renewal and fresh growth.
- Psalm 1:3 — “Like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” Theme: Deep roots, timely fruit (the lily’s botanical cousin in spirit).
- Philippians 1:6 — “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it.” Theme: God finishes what He starts in you.
Consider praying one of these over your Lily each morning — our scriptures to pray in the morning collection is designed exactly for this kind of daily practice.
Sibling Names That Pair Beautifully With Lily
Choosing names for brothers and sisters? These pair naturally with Lily in sound and spirit:
- Girls: Lily & Rose, Lily & Grace, Lily & Faith, Lily & Ivy, Lily & Charlotte, Lily & Hannah, Lily & Naomi
- Boys: Lily & James, Lily & Samuel, Lily & Caleb, Lily & Noah, Lily & David, Lily & Jonah
Biblical-flavored pairings (Lily & Hannah, Lily & Samuel) keep the whole sibset in the same faith register.
Lily vs Lillian vs Liliana: Which Should You Choose?
Parents often hesitate between the Lily family of names. Here’s an honest comparison:
- Lily — Short, sweet, modern-classic. The most popular of the three. Works at every age. If you love simplicity, choose Lily.
- Lillian — Vintage and elegant, with natural nicknames (Lily, Lilly, Lill). Currently trending upward as vintage names return. Choose Lillian if you want formality with a built-in nickname.
- Liliana — Romantic and flowing, with Latin flair. Popular in Hispanic and Italian families. Choose Liliana if you love longer, melodic names.
All three share the same lily-flower root and the same biblical symbolism — you can’t choose wrong. Many families use Lillian or Liliana officially and Lily daily, getting the best of both.
A note on Lilith: Despite the similar sound, Lilith has a completely different origin (a figure in Jewish folklore, not the flower). If biblical meaning matters to you, stick with Lily, Lillian, or Liliana.
A Prayer for Lily
Heavenly Father, thank You for Lily — fearfully and wonderfully made, like the lilies of the field You clothe with such care. Teach her to trust Your provision the way the lilies trust the rain. Make her a lily among thorns — pure, brave, and unmistakably Yours in a world that tries to dull her shine. When winters come, remind her that bulbs bloom again; resurrection is woven into her very name. Let her grow as the lily grows — quietly, beautifully, without striving — and let her life proclaim what the Easter lilies proclaim: that death never has the last word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pray this over your Lily on her birthday, her first day of school, and any night she feels anxious. A child who hears Scripture prayed over her by name internalizes it for life.
Celebrating a Lily: Meaningful Traditions
Make the name’s meaning part of family life:
- Plant lilies together — every spring, plant lily bulbs as a reminder of Hosea 14:5 (“he shall grow as the lily”). Watch them rise together.
- Easter lilies with her name — place a card reading “Consider the lilies — Matthew 6:28” beside the Easter lilies each year.
- Birthday verse — every birthday, read Song of Solomon 2:2 over her: “As the lily among thorns, so is my love.”
- A lily piece of jewelry — a small lily necklace for a milestone birthday becomes a wearable reminder of her name’s meaning.
- Morning verse habit — start the day with one of our short morning prayers for every day prayed in her name.
Traditions like these turn a name’s meaning from trivia into identity.
Lily Through History: Queens, Saints, and Icons
The name’s floral grace has attracted remarkable women across centuries:
- Lillian Gish (1893–1993) — pioneering silent-film actress, called “The First Lady of American Cinema.”
- Lily Langtry (1853–1929) — celebrated British actress and beauty of the Victorian era, famously painted by Millais and Whistler.
- Saint lily associations — while no canonized saint is named Lily, the flower is inseparable from Marian devotion; medieval Christians called Mary the “lily of the valley” in hymns and prayers.
- Lily in heraldry — the fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, has symbolized French royalty for a thousand years and appears in the coats of arms of cities, universities, and even the Boy Scouts. A Lily carries a quietly royal emblem.
- Modern Lilies — from Lily James to Lily Collins, today’s bearers keep the name in the cultural spotlight without overexposing it.
A name worn well by queens of stage and screen, woven into sacred art, and stamped on royal banners — that’s a heritage worth knowing.
“The Lily of the Valleys”: A Closer Look at Song of Solomon 2:1
The phrase “lily of the valleys” deserves a moment of its own, because it’s where the name’s poetry lives. In context, the speaker (traditionally the bride, representing God’s people) describes herself with humble flowers — the rose of Sharon (a common wildflower) and the lily of the valleys (growing low, in ordinary places).
Then comes the beloved’s reply: “As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.” He doesn’t argue with her humility — he elevates it. Yes, you’re a lily — and among thorns, you’re incomparable.
That’s the gospel pattern in miniature: we come lowly, and love lifts us. For anyone named Lily, this exchange is a personal parable — you don’t have to be the grandest flower in the garden. Blooming faithfully in your valley, noticed and cherished by Love Himself, is more than enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Lily mean in the Bible?
The lily in the Bible symbolizes purity, divine care, beauty, and renewal. Key passages include Matthew 6:28 (“consider the lilies of the field”), Song of Solomon 2:1-2 (“the lily of the valleys”), and Hosea 14:5 (“he shall grow as the lily”).
Is Lily a biblical name?
The flower is thoroughly biblical, appearing in both Testaments. “Lily” as a personal name isn’t borne by a biblical character, but it derives from the Hebrew shoshannah, which gives us the biblical name Susanna (Luke 8:3).
What does “consider the lilies” mean?
In Matthew 6:28, Jesus points to wild lilies — beautiful without any effort — to teach that God will certainly provide for His children. It’s a call to trust God instead of being consumed by worry.
What is the Hebrew meaning of Lily?
The Hebrew shoshannah (שׁוֹשַׁנָּה) means “lily.” It’s also the root of the names Susanna, Shoshana, and Susan — all meaning “lily.”
What does a lily symbolize spiritually?
Purity, resurrection/new life, divine provision, beauty without striving, and being set apart (“a lily among thorns”). It’s also a traditional Easter symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
Is Lily a good Christian name for a girl?
Beautifully so. It’s one of the few flower names with direct, repeated, positive biblical symbolism — purity, God’s care, and renewal. Many Christian families choose it precisely for the Matthew 6:28 connection.
What middle names go with Lily?
Lily Grace, Lily Rose, Lily Faith, Lily Claire, Lily Anne, Lily Elizabeth, Lily Mae, and Lily Jane are timeless pairings. Grace and Faith complement the name’s biblical resonance especially well.
What names are similar to Lily?
Lillian, Liliana, Rose, Daisy, Violet, Iris, Ivy, Poppy, Willow, and Susanna/Shoshana (the Hebrew original).
Final Thoughts
Lily is one of those rare names where the dictionary meaning, the biblical symbolism, and the sound all agree: something pure, beautiful, and deeply cared for by God. From the temple pillars to Jesus’s most comforting sermon illustration, the lily has always pointed to grace — beauty given, not earned. Whether you’re naming a daughter or reflecting on your own name, “consider the lilies” remains one of Scripture’s gentlest invitations: trust Him, bloom freely. And if you’d like to begin each day with that trust, our good night prayers and blessings will help you end each day the same way.